San Antonio has just voted to provide domestic partner benefits for city employees.

It is by a vote of 8-3 that the council voted in favor of this law.

According to Dallasvoice, after the vote, Equality Texas put sent out an e-mail news blast that summed up the day’s results:

"Today’s vote is an affirmation of the City Council’s belief that all San Antonians should be treated equally, with the dignity and respect they deserve. There was opposition. And, there will likely be negative backlash. As we move forward, let us remember that fairness and justice will always be in the best interests of our diverse communities."

Arizona will continue to provide benefits to partner of the same-sex workers such as decided the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

The court thus estimated that to remove these benefits is unconstitutional.

"Today's decision ... means Arizona's lesbian and gay state employees will not suddenly find themselves without vital family health coverage," said Tara Borelli, a Lambda Legal attorney who argued the case before the court as reports Reuters.

Why did a group of state workers want to repeal the law?

Imagine that in Arizona, the gay and lesbian couples have more rights than straight couples!

Brewer spokesman Matt Benson said the appeals court opinion "flies in the face of logic and the law" and grants more benefits to same-sex partners than straight couples.

"In the governor's opinion, this is a step in the wrong direction," he said

Michigan could become the less LGBT-friendly state if a bill preventing employers to give benefits to anyone not married or related to an employee.

"While these benefits are often used by both straight and gay couples, anti-gay lawmakers are specifically trying to deny gay couples the ability to care for their families," said Emily Dievendorf, director of policy for Equality Michigan.

In the same time, Michigan also voted to don't give the possibility for any union to negotiate on benefits for unmarried couples.

A legislation ensuring that in many cases COBRA benefits would be available for LGBT Americans if their partner quits or loses its job has been introduced in the House and in the Senate.

Rep. Anthony Weiner introduced the legislation, known as the Equal Access to COBRA Act, in the House, while Sen. Barbara Boxer introduced the legislation in the Senate reports Washington Blade.

This measure would be applied in companies already offering health coverage to their gay and lesbian employees with a partner "to ensure they have access to Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act benefits if they lose their job."

"All of our families deserve equal access to health insurance," Boxer said. "This bill would help ensure that domestic partners and their families will be able to keep their health coverage if their partner loses their job."

Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said that "in these troubled economic times, social safety-net benefits like COBRA continuation coverage are even more important to American families. LGBT people should have the equal ability to maintain those critical benefits for their families during difficult times."

The Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index 2012 came out this week, ranking hundreds of major US companies based on a set of criteria. These criteria include an assessment of companies’ non-discrimination policies, the offering of equal partner benefits, availability of LGBT resources for employees, the provision of transgender healthcare, a public commitment to LGBT causes, and a lack of support for anti-LGBT initiatives. The scoring falls under each of these categories, amounting to a highest possible score of 100.

Of those hundreds of companies surveyed, there were many to score perfectly, though fewer than last year because of the more stringent qualification for providing transgender healthcare, which denotes a company must offer one insurance plan which will cover at least $75,000 in surgery and any other treatments for transition. Adding in this more rigorous requirement provides a goal for those companies who are working to provide an equal workplace for their LGBT employees, and also provides transgender workers with a way to discover those companies which would best accommodate them before applying to jobs.

But the Corporate Equality Index is about not only providing workers with a way to discover the most inclusive and equal workplaces, but also being able to identify those companies which devalue their employees by not providing them with fair treatment. Once those companies which are not willing to grow to support the LGBT community are identified, consumers may use that information to choose more wisely the companies they support with their business. As a member of the LGBT community or an ally, why should I spend my money where other people in that same community are treated with less than respect and equality? Altering the flow of revenue to those companies which find it unnecessary to support all of their employees can perhaps affect some kind of change.

For more information on the Corporate Equality Index, visit HRC.org, where you can read the report, search companies to find a specific score, or simply browse through to see where any of the companies you work with on a day-to-day basis rank. And while you are there, don’t forget to browse through the rest of the site and the remainder of the wonderful resources the Human Rights Campaign offers to the community and its allies.

]]>info@lezbelib.com (Cael)WorldwideThu, 15 Dec 2011 05:54:20 +0000Lezbelib's Interview: James F. Haning II, Candidate For The U.S. House Of Representativeshttps://www.lezbelib.com/worldwide/lezbelib-s-interview-james-f-haning-ii-candidate-for-the-u-s-house-of-representatives
https://www.lezbelib.com/worldwide/lezbelib-s-interview-james-f-haning-ii-candidate-for-the-u-s-house-of-representatives

On Lezbelib, we are used to talk about politics. It is always important to know what's going on and to know a little bit people who represent us, no matter their gender.

Recently, Cathy, Cael and E-Li had the opportunity to interview James F. Haning II, an openly gay Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 3rd Congressional District of Nevada.

We were interested in his ambitions and how he thought he could represent the LGBTQ community if he wins. Which are his projects? What will he fight for? We also approached the simple fact of being an openly gay candidate and what that implies.

Lezbelib: Can you tell us more about you, how did you start in politics?

My name is James F. Haning II and I am a proud to be Nevada’s first openly gay Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in our 3rd Congressional District. I have worked for more than the past decade in the mortgage finance industry and in recent years, after seeing firsthand the actions of unregulated financial institutions went into the private consulting industry to ensure that I work with lenders and industry professionals, teaching values and actions of responsible lending.

Lezbelib: What issues inspired you to run, and how do you plan on affecting change?

My decision to run for the U.S. House of Representatives is born as a result of the poor and middle-class families across the nation being taken hostage by the failed "trickle-down" policies on Capitol Hill. We have seen, right here in Southern Nevada, the highest unemployment rates, along with excessive and scrupulous foreclosures, a formula that has resulted in a hard-hitting impact on our economy.

Lezbelib: What walls are you coming up against running as an openly gay candidate? How does it effect your politics?

Many have questioned my ability to take decisive action, as when elected, would be a "junior" Congressman, but I could not disagree more. I believe that all 435 members of Congress, whether new or solidly planted, have the same voting power, same ability to propose new legislation, and influence on change. I vow to never end the fight to protect the poor and middle-class and ensure that for our valuable seniors, that they never have to face the possibility of their Social Security or Medicare being diminished or interrupted. I was sickened when the current Incumbent, Rep. Joe Heck (R), commented in a meeting with seniors that Social Security was a "Pyramid Scheme". I believe that Social Security and Medicare are not entitlements, but earned benefits and must be protected today, and tomorrow.

Lezbelib: Nevada has fairly decent laws protecting gays and lesbians under hate crimes law and non-discrimination law. None of these protections, though, have been extended past sexual orientation to gender identity. What are your plans to help this neglected part of the community?

I must note, since you are a website geared to the Lesbian population, that I am a strong advocate and supporter of women’s rights. I have made many commitments to Planned Parenthood and seek to ensure that pay grades are equal and just, ensure that women across the world do not face oppression, and have made a clear stance on a women’s right of choice.

Lezbelib: How do you support full equality for GLBT people?

Nevada does have some protection for the GLBT Community and recently, saw Assembly Bill 211, taking effect in October 2011, providing protection to Transgender citizens. I believe that more should be done to protect the community on a state level, including exercising of state rights, through legalizing marriage between two consenting adults. The argument from current lawmakers revolves around the Defense of Marriage Act, but this has not stopped many states, including Massachusetts, New York, Iowa, and many others. Currently we have in place a Domestic Partnership opportunity, but this is separate and not equal, as it excludes many rights, including healthcare coverage, which is a blatant act of discrimination against the community.

On a federal level, when elected, I will work hard to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which, as Nevada’s Domestic Partnership laws does, discriminates against members of the GLBT Community. Further action should also be taken, including the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would provide greater protections for members of the GLBT Community in the workplace. It is sad that many face discrimination as a result of their sexual preference. Lastly, in our immigration policies, we should include the ability for same-sex couples seeking to immigrate to the United States, fair treatment as that afforded to couples of the opposite sex.

I have worked hard to ensure that we end discrimination, create and educate on values of acceptance, and equality. This has been extended to my commitment to the ItGetsBetter Project and my outreach to youth in the community, which have been victimized by unfortunate bullying. I know that we can and will overcome these injustices and together change hearts and minds across this great nation.

Another US presidential candidate supports gay marriage when another one still shows her bigotry.

In Australia, the Labor party took its pick.

Gary Johnson, candidate to US presidential elections, supports gay marriage. He had supported civil unions but never gay marriage, until now after "a great deal of deliberation, discussion with the gay community, and a conclusion that government has no business choosing who should be allowed the benefits of marriage and who should not."

"As a believer in individual freedom and keeping government out of personal lives, I simply cannot find a legitimate justification for federal laws, such as the Defense of Marriage Act, which 'define' marriage," he said.

"That definition should be left to religions and individuals, not government. Government’s role when it comes to marriage is one of granting benefits and rights to couples who choose to enter into a marriage contract. As I have examined this issue, consulted with folks on all sides, and viewed it through the lens of individual freedom and equal rights, it has become clear to me that denying those rights and benefits to gay couples is discrimination, plain and simple."

Even if the leader of the Labor Party is opposed to gay marriage, the members of the party voted to support it.

An Associated Press even reports that the support for gay marriage was so strong at the conference that the motion was carried by strength of voices only.

Unfortunately, later, by a vote of 208-184, they decided to make a vote of conscience. It means that gay marriage won't pass because the number of necessary votes will not be sufficient as Labors operate a minority government with only three independents and one green.

However, according to Deputy Chief Minister for the Australian Capital Territory, Andrew Barr, a bill will be presented next year before the federal Parliament.

During a visit in Waverly, Iowa, Michele Bachmann answered questions of a pro-gay student, 16, wondering about the legalization of gay marriage.

Bachmann answered: "Well, number one: all of us as Americans have the same rights, we have the same civil rights. That’s what government’s role is: to protect our civil rights. There shouldn’t be any special rights or any special set of criteria based upon people’s preferences. We all have the same civil rights."

(No, we don't have all the same civil rights. There are two kind of marriages: the religious one and the civil one. If "we all have the same civil rights" why two women can't have a civil wedding?

And let's note the term here "people's preferences": we all have the same rights but the law cannot take account of people's preferences. So why women who prefer women have no rights but women who prefer men have rights?)

Schmidt continued: "Then why can’t same-sex couples get married?

Bachmann: They can get married, but they abide by the same laws as everyone else. They can marry a man if they’re a woman, or if they can marry a woman if the’re a man.

Schmidt: Why can’t a man marry a man?

Bachmann: Because that’s not the law of the land.

Schmidt: So heterosexual couples have a privilege?

Bachmann: No, they have the same opportunity under the law. There is no right to same-sex marriage."

Bachmann explained that there is "no special rights for people based upon your sex practices. There’s no special rights based on what you do with your sex life. You are an American citizen first and foremost, and that’s it."

Ok so let's remember there is no discrimination, we all have the same civil rights but gays and lesbians can't have a civil wedding wich is a civil right.

The law is absolutely not based on people's preferences except for people who prefered opposite-sex. Oups! I forget it is not based on sex practices too lol.

So yes, we absolutely didn't learn anything, so why did I wrote about it? Just to applaud this student, she was amazing!

One could wonder where will go UK financial aids? Certainly not in the pockets of the Zimbabwe's president.

A minister in Malaysia repeats once again that homosexuality is illegal and has no intention to change this.

Perhaps, in Denmark, you will be able to you marry in Lutheran churches.

Lastly, Google goes towards always more equality.

France:

Six UMP national secretaries indicated in an article of the Express that they would wish gay marriage be in the 2012 presidential program of Nicolas Sarkosy. Of course, as one could expect it, 18 UMP deputies (whose Jacques Remiller, Christian Vanneste, Richard Mallié, Jacques Myard and Brigitte Barèges) have reacted : "Gay marriage: no!" qualifying this request as "inadmissible".

Good news however, the term of limitation, which until now made it possible for many homophobes who said public insults to homosexuals, women and handicapped people to not undergo a sentence because the term was three months and it was too short, was pushed back at one year by the Assembly which voted 473-4. There remains however the vote of the Senate.

Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell specifies that UK never planned to cut financial aids to countries which would not change their policies to respect rights of LGBT but that this aid would be redirected in order to continue to help these countries but more particularly in the field of health, food and education.

"Taking money away from Governments does not mean you do not support that country. You find other mechanisms for trying to help the poorest with food, education and health care as well as building up business structures."

Zimbabwe:

The president of Zimbabwe in answer to this financial aid qualifies "satanic" the approach of the UK government.

Mugabe said: "It becomes worse and satanic when you get a prime minister like Cameron saying countries that want British aid should accept homosexuality.

"To come with that diabolic suggestion to our people is a stupid offer."

He added in a speech a few days ago: "Do not get tempted into that (homosexuality). You are young people. If you go that direction, we will punish you severely.

"It is condemned by nature. It is condemned by insects and that is why I have said they are worse than pigs and dogs."

UK government spokesman said : "The UK Government is at the forefront of work to promote human rights around the world, and regularly criticises Governments which violate those rights.

"This includes working to end religious intolerance, and persecution and discrimination against individuals on the basis of their sexuality.

"Our new approach, set out in detail in July this year, means we only provide aid directly to governments when we are satisfied that they share our commitments to reduce poverty; respect human rights; improve public financial management; fight corruption; and promote good governance and transparency."

Malaysia:

Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department still opposes the legalization of homosexuality in his country:

"Homosexuality is deemed illegal in Malaysia as it goes against the constitution(…) Islam is enshrined in the constitution as the religion of the Federation and same sex orientation is unIslamic."

USA:

Google, which will receive an award next month by The Trevor Project because last year, announced they would start paying gay and lesbian workers at a higher rate, in order to compensate them from unequal tax laws, decided to continue and develop health benefits to its transgender staff.

Google spokesman Jordan Newman told an Associated Press that: "As the WPATH Standards of Care are considered the highest standards of care for transgender individuals, we agreed to cover the full range of procedures under WPATH."

There are times where I find myself wishing a perfect stranger would come up to me and quote Ron Burgundy as a pick up line: because then I’d have found “the one.” And lucky for you, after reading this article, having somebody approach you with the line: “You have...an absolutely breathtaking hiney," will be so commonplace the popular movie quote may lose most of it’s funny. Not all…because let’s be honest…it’s Anchor Man…it can never lose it’s funny. Basically what I’m trying to say here is: people are going to want to be friend’s with your backside after you put these poses into practice.

This first pose is found in beginner and advanced classes alike: as there is always room to go deeper. It’s called Chair Pose, and often times makes my yogi’s legs shake and cheeks turn red as I call them out on wanting to beat me up by putting them in the pose multiple times in a class. I do it because I care. And that’s why I’m telling you about it: I care about you. And your backside.

The next pose is called Locust Pose. Locust Pose strengthens the butt, lower back, backs of the arms and legs, as well as the spine. It can help to improve posture, stimulate abdominal organs, and helps to relieve stress.

How To:

1. Start by laying down on your belly, with your arms down by your side, palms facing up.

The final pose is called Warrior II. In fact, all of the Warrior poses will help firm the tush; however, I feel this pose, when held for a duration of time, really focuses on firming and lifting our new favorite body part!

Warrior II can help with sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoporosis, infertility, and flat feet. It also increases stamina, stretches the groins, shoulders, chest and lungs, as well as strengthens and tones the legs, ankles, and of course, your buns, hun!

How To:

1. Stand with your hands at your side.

2. Step your right foot all the way back, bending your left knee 90 degrees coming into a lunge.

3. Spin your right foot flat, so the arch of the foot lines up with the heel of your left foot.

4. Turn your torso to the right, and lift your arms up by your sides-reaching towards the front and back of the room.

(You may need to have a wider stance to allow yourself to sink down really low. )

Hold for one to two minutes. Switch legs and do the other side.

So there you have it, my internet yogis! Three poses you can work on to help give you a delightfully delicious derriere.

Extra Credit: If you check out my past articles and all the poses I've introduced you to, you can easily create your own sequence of poses, also known as a "vinyasa." Play around with them, and see what poses you like to do in what order. You can start leading yourself through mini yoga classes at home!